Saints seek Sinclair to steady St Mary’s ship

Southampton, 33/1 for a top four finish next season, are seemingly preparing for life without Adam Lallana after reports close to the club linked them to Manchester City’s Scott Sinclair.

The winger, who spent last season on loan at West Brom, arrived at the Etihad in a £6.2m move from Swansea in the summer of 2012.

City are keen to trim their squad, after they were hit with a hefty fine for breaching the Financial Fair Play Regulations.

Sinclair is still only 25, and may relish a move to the Saints in a bid to revive his career. The biggest concerns for fans of the south coast club will be over future of boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has been consistently linked with the recently vacated post at Tottenham.

If the Argentinian does move, any replacement will obviously have their thoughts on transfer policy; and key to the board’s plans will be keeping their talent pool of youngsters and strengthening in appropriate areas.

With question marks over the futures of Lallana, and even Luke Shaw, it is unlikely more than two big names will be allowed to leave St Mary’s. However, any potential transfers of the duo would command hefty fees, and as such would possibly be available to reinvest. He club though, reportedly have unpaid transfer fees and still need to pay off their training ground.

Perhaps alarmingly, Sinclair hasn’t found the net since his move from Wales, though he has 28 league goals for Swansea in 82 appearances. If the player gets his head down and integrates in a like-minded team that shares his ambition, he has a chance of rediscovering his previous good form. With Jay Rodriguez, who was so prolific last term, currently injured, Sinclair could possibly slot straight in.

At £3m, he could be the bargain of the summer, if he can return to his best and there is no reason why he can’t. The Southampton squad is young and hungry, though their immediate priority is resolving the future of the manager.